I will. Meanwhile, why do some explosions (capital ships mainly) show as big, ugly black squares?

Cause you haven't downloaded the patch VPs in the same thread you got RC4 from most likely.

If you have then it's cause those files haven't been patched yet. That will change before 3.6.9 gets an official release most likely.

I had those files already, but nevermind.

Something funny happens at mission 38, Exodus. Theta wing will never arrive upon my request! It makes the mission a lot harder, and even if I finish it, the stats show 0 kills, shots and missiles, even if I scored a triple ace!

Fun.

Edit: RC5 seems to solve Theta wing, although you are never notified of their arrival. Also, the debriefing paragraphs of Admiral Petrarch are disorganized